Easymeal food and drink dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A novel food dispensing device is described which includes a tubular container for holding the food to be consumed, a pushing apparatus which fits inside of the container like a piston in a cylinder and is moved upward to push the food out of an opening in the container. This will allow handicapped persons, or other users that only have one free hand to feed themselves, since it only requires a single hand to operate. In other embodiments the pushing apparatus is mechanized allowing for feeding oneself with no hands. In alternate embodiments, there is also a beverage container and a tube ending near the container opening, allowing one to drink the beverage from the tube by only having to move his/her head and without the user to physically change positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional application which claimsbenefit to Provisional Application No. 62/148,733, entitled“Drive-Up-Cup Food Dispenser”, filed Apr. 16, 2015. The presentapplication also claims benefit to Provisional Application No.62/184,246, entitled “Easy Meal Food and Drink Dispenser”, filed on Jun.24, 2015. The present application also claims benefit to ProvisionalApplication No. 62/310,801 entitled “Easy Meal Food and Drink DispensingPoint Receptacle”, filed on Mar. 20, 2016. All three of the applicationsstated above are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth intheir entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People typically eat food in a variety of different ways. Spoons, forks,and dinner plates are traditional tools used for eating food. Feedingoneself with hand to mouth is another method that was once the originalway before eating utensils were developed. This method became popularagain as “fast food” concepts grew. People would use their hands to pickup sandwiches such as hamburgers in a bun, hotdogs in a bun, and longersandwiches called hoagies which are on a bun, also sandwiches called a“wrap” where a food filling rolled up in a soft tortilla shell becamepopular. The food of the sandwich style variety is often packaged forcarry out of the restaurant. The current packaging seems to work fairlywell to take the food out of the restaurant without spilling it. Manytypes of packaging for sandwich type products do not transition well toactually holding the food while being able to eat it without spillingit, or preventing it from having juices dripping out, or preventingparticles from falling out and onto one's clothing.

Often sandwiches are packaged in a folded paper wrapper. Drinks providedin restaurants range from waxed cardboard cups with lids to cans andbottles. Current packaging does not make it possible to eat one-handedvery well without spilling, let alone holding a drink nearby enough totake a sip of drink right after taking a bite of the sandwich withoutsetting one thing down to pick another one up. Currently, there is nopackaging that allows eating of a restaurant packaged sandwich with asingle hand.

Another goal not well served with the current art of food/drink utensilsand packaging is also drinking while holding the food with one hand.Often eating one handed with current art in food packaging results inspilled food, and soiled clothing from food juices.

Soups, chili, spaghetti, casseroles, vegetables, and fruits do notpackage well for eating in a fast-food fashion. To eat these types offood usually requires a sit-down meal with eating tools in the form ofplates, forks, spoons, and knives.

Utensils, such as forks, spoons and knives typically require a firmsurface like a table and one hand at least to eat. If one does not havea table then they must hold the plate and use the fork or spoon to raisethe food from the plate to the mouth. In some countries, chopsticks havebeen used to bring the food from the bowl into the mouth, and that takestwo hands, one to hold the bowl and the other to push the food into themouth with the chopstick or other implement like a spoon.

With the advent of fast food, emphasis has been on making and sellingeasily packaged food that is not messy, and that has been the objectiveheld higher than food quality, nutrition and ways of serving healthierfood.

Eating quality healthy food as fast food has not been very easy toobtain because it does not fit the mold of fast food. The food is oftenserved as fast food with bread, buns, or tortilla wraps to give a personthe ability to hold onto the food without having messy insides come outall over the place. Nuggets of deep fried food are now popular in thefast food industry, not because they are good for your health, butbecause they are easy to eat and package easily. Food is not as healthyas it could be at fast food establishments because it is not convenientto eat healthy foods like a home-cooked meal without the standard tools,forks, spoons, plates, table, etc.

There is currently no acceptable way of packaging and serving juicy, orliquid foods like soups, casseroles, lasagna, so that that they can beeaten while driving. Also if one has a disability such as inoperablehands (paralysis, severe arthritis) it may not be possible to eat withconventional utensils. Kids are more regularly eating in cars, whichtypically causes a large mess.

Today's society has become a busy on the move type of society that hastaken up the concept of multi-tasking and integrated it into our livesas a regular occurrence of everyday activities. For example, whether itis talking and typing or working and walking on a desk treadmill, peopleare capable and often perform two physical functions at once.

One area that people regularly multi-task is during the consumption offood items. Some examples of where people often try to multitask whileconsuming food or drink are while they perform work functions and eatsimultaneously due to time constraints or teenagers that are overlyinvolved in their video game system and want a snack while they conquerthe galaxy or a person that is on a road trip and needs to consume theirfood as safely as possible while getting to their destination. Amajority of the functions people dually attempt while consuming foodrequire a significant share of the person's attention compared to eatingor drinking. Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient manner toconsume food while being able to concentrate and perform anotherphysical function.

One way people have attempted to solve the problem of having meals onthe go has been the development of fast food. Fast food restaurantsprovide people with food items such as hamburgers and French fries,sodas in various sizes, tacos, burritos and a variety of other itemsthat are quick to make, but not healthy to consume on a regular basis.Restaurants and shops that offer freshly made submarine sandwiches haveattempted to address the health aspect of the fast food issue but itemslike the submarine sandwich or wraps are difficult to consume using onlyone hand. Further, they are generally messy even if two hands are usedto hold the sandwich together due to components of the sandwich fallingout (e.g. dropped pickles, lettuce, onions, etc.), crumbs from the breadfalling, or dressing or sauce dripping from the sandwich. It isdifficult to eat healthy and be able to multitask due to the physicalnecessity to use two hands to adequately maneuver the sandwich forconsumption or not to have a mess from food items falling or drippingout all over. Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient manner toconsume food while being able to concentrate and perform anotherphysical function and to prevent a mess during the consumption of foodand another function.

The fast food industry creates a lot of packaging waste related to foodconsumed in-store and take-out. There is a current need to reduce theamount of waste in this industry, while still having adequate packagingfor various foods. Though it varies, the average four-person meal from afast food restaurant generates approximately 1.5 cubic feet ofun-compacted waste. Even the healthier types of food are typicallyserved to customers and consumers in paper or plastic containers and/orwrappers that create a significant amount of refuse. Even if the personmakes their meal at home and wants to eat it on the go, the food itemstill requires some sort of transport container or covering and thegenerally available and affordable materials are plastic sandwich bagsor plastic wrap. The alternative is to use a reusable plastic containerbut these types of containers are not made to be held or practical tohold while consuming the food item while trying to simultaneouslyperform another task.

Currently, there is a need for an efficient manner to consume food anddrinks while being able to concentrate and perform another physicalfunction and to prevent a mess during the consumption of food while notcreating a significant amount of waste or refuse.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed toward the short term storage, holding,containing, transporting, and dispensing of food and/or beverages in anefficient manner generally allowing a person to consume food or beveragewhile simultaneously performing another physical activity.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein solves the problems of having a device that canefficiently contain and allow the consumption of food items in a mannerthat will permit a person to simultaneously perform another physicalactivity while the device prevents spillage of the food item fromcreating a mess. The present invention can also decrease the amount of(fast) food item related refuse by being manufactured from reusable orrecyclable materials.

The current invention holds and dispenses various forms of foods rangingfrom sandwiches to thick soups such as chili, or other thicker thingsand non-homogenous food items such as spaghetti with meatballs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention it is shown in the drawings embodiments whichare presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view representation of an embodiment of thefood dispensing device;

FIG. 2A is a perspective side view representation of bottom loadingembodiment of the food cartridge for loading into the container;

FIG. 2B is a perspective side view representation of a top loadingembodiment of the food of the food cartridge for loading into thecontainer;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 6 is a side view representation of another embodiment of the fooddispensing device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 9 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 11 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view representation of the inventiveembodiment of the food dispensing device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 14 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 15 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 16 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 17 is a perspective side view representation of another embodimentof the food dispensing device;

FIG. 18 is a side view representation of another embodiment of the fooddispensing device;

FIG. 19 is a perspective side view representation of the embodimentshown in FIG. 18 of the food dispensing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplaryembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability,or configuration of the herein disclosed inventions. Rather, the ensuingdetailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will providethose skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementingthe preferred exemplary embodiments in accordance with the hereindisclosed invention. It should be understood that various changes may bemade in the function and arrangement of elements without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appendedclaims.

To aid in describing the invention, directional terms may be used in thespecification and claims to describe portions of the present invention(e.g., upper, lower, left, right, etc.). These directional definitionsare merely intended to assist in describing and claiming the inventionand are not intended to limit the invention in any way. In addition,reference numerals that are introduced in the specification inassociation with a drawing figure may be repeated in one or moresubsequent figures without additional description in the specificationin order to provide context for other features.

The embodiments of the current invention are designed to act as tools inassisting those eating food without the ability to use both hands. Thismay include young children, disabled people. It may also assist thosewho are busy using their other hand for other things, such as driving,operating a computer mouse, etc. The current invention provides food anddrink from a common receptacle with a means of advancing the food. Boththe food and drinks are provided near each other in close proximity toenable nearly simultaneous eating and drinking. Eating and drinking isassisted by the invention for when using one or no hands.

Elements having the same reference numbers refer to the same elementthroughout the specification and figures, even if they are provided indifferent figures, or different parts of the specification.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of afood dispensing device 100 comprised of but not limited to a cylindricalcontainer 110 made from a material that will resist leaking andcrushing, for the purpose of containing the food item(s) 101 or similaritem(s) and having an opening 140 at the top end and an enclosure sealapparatus 130 at the bottom end. The seal apparatus 130 is generallydisc shaped to coincide with the inner circumference of the container110 and also made from a plastic polymer or other suitable material. Theseal apparatus 130, which may include an O-ring seal 132, is capable ofsliding within the container 110, generally upwards toward the opening140 of the container 110. The embodiment 100 of the invention in FIG. 1is further comprised of a pushing apparatus 120 which is also made froma material which will resist leaking and crushing. It is cylindrical inshape and is proportionate in size so that the circumference of thepushing apparatus 120 is slightly smaller than the container 110 but yetfits snuggly against the inner perimeter of the lower end of thecontainer 110 and is held in place by friction when the inner surface ofthe bottom end of the container 110 comes into contact with the outersurface perimeter of the top end of the pushing apparatus 120. In anembodiment, it resembles the top of a piston.

The pushing apparatus 120 of the inventive embodiment 100 is furthercomprised of a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the pushingapparatus 120 is comprised of a recess around the top perimeter whichreceives an O-ring seal 132 creating a seal against the inside surfaceof the container 110. The seal incorporated into the top end may beseparate or integral.

The embodiment 100 of the present invention is further comprised ofassembling the pushing apparatus 120 and the container 110 by placingthe top end of pushing apparatus 120 into the bottom end of thecontainer 110 until the contact surface of the pushing apparatus 120touches and makes contact with the seal apparatus 130 in the container110.

The present invention is operated by using a proportionate amount offorce on the pushing apparatus 120 wherein the contact surface 125 ofthe pushing apparatus 120 drives the seal apparatus 130 within thecontainer 110 toward the top of the container 110 which in turn liftsthe food item 101 held in the container 110 out the opening 140 of thecontainer 110 enabling consumption of the food item 101. The top of thepushing apparatus 120 may contain a recess for the O-ring seal.

A pre-packaged food cartridge may be used in some cases for convenience.This allows for quick, clean and easy loading.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2A shows an embodiment 200 of the presentinvention which shows a food cartridges 210 which are pre-filled with afood and sealed. Once the food cartridge is purchased from a store, theprotective seals 214 over the opening at the top, and the bottom areremoved. The food cartridge 210 is then inserted into the container 110of FIG. 1 for use.

In FIG. 2A, food cartridge 210 includes seal apparatus 230 but mayfurther include separators 252 within the container for the purpose ofcompartmentalizing different types of food items within the container210. The top and/or bottom seals 214 enclose the container 210. Theseseals 214 may be made replaceable, such that they may be removed andreplaced back on for repeated use of the container 210.

The cartridge 210 is placed in the container 110, or is used in place ofcontainer 110. The pushing apparatus is sized to fit inside of cartridge210. As pushing apparatus moves upward, it pushes out the foods in thecartridge out of the top opening 140 of FIG. 1. The separators 252 aredesigned to either move with the foods out of the top opening 140, orrupture causing the foods in different compartments to mix duringconsumption.

FIG. 2A also shows a lip 212 on the outer circumference of the bottom ofthe cartridge 210 used to assist in securing the cartridge 210 in placewhen the cartridge 210 is used in conjunction with the container 110shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B also shows another embodiment 200 of the food cartridge 210 andthe seal apparatus 230 but also may further include separators 252within the container for compartmentalizing different types of fooditems within the container 210. The inventive embodiment 200 is furthercomprised of top and/or bottom seal 214 to enclose the container 210.

FIG. 2B also shows a cartridge 210 that is further comprised of a lip212 on the outer circumference of the top of the cartridge 210 thatassists securing the cartridge 210 in place when the cartridge 210 isused in conjunction with container 110, as shown in FIG. 1.

The cartridges 210 of FIGS. 2A and 2B are intended to be prepackages andsold filled and sealed. The food cartridge expands the usability of thecurrent invention to pre-packaged food. Actually the food cartridgeouter wall forms the inner sleeve of the food dispenser unit, almostlike a skin, and inside has a short internal plunger disk that isactuated by the pushing apparatus 120 of FIG. 1.

Alternatively, the cartridge may be made of reusable material. It mayhave replaceable seals 214 which can be removed and replaced back on forrepeated sealing of the cartridge 210. It can then be filled from thetop or bottom, sealed and pre-stored.

Now referring to FIG. 3, it shows another embodiment 300 which furtherincludes of a ‘drip tray’ or simply a ‘tray’ 360, which fits into and isheld by a suitably sized opening 364 in the center to hold the container110. The tray 360 is designed to have the purpose of catching food itemsor dripped sauces or other substances that fall or are otherwisepropelled from opening 140 of the container 110 and thus preventing thefood item from creating a mess while it is being consumed. The tray 360adds to the usability of the device in that it holds thebeverage/drinking straw and the container 110 as well in close proximityto each other, and it provides the added benefit of catching spillage.

Embodiment 300 of the present invention employs a tray 360 having awrist notch 367 on one side for the purpose of allowing the user's handto access and grip the upper end of the container 110.

The tray 360 further includes a container guide 361 that extendsdownward from around the circumference of the tray opening 364 forming acentral support structure for the container 110.

Additionally, the inventive embodiment 300 shows the invention comprisesa nozzle attachment 350 having a food outlet 356 designated for use withfood items that are generally liquid in nature such as chili to assistin preventing spills or otherwise controlling the dispensing flow of thefood item. A person can position their mouth near the nozzle 350 to eatfood from the opening 356 in the nozzle 350.

FIG. 3 includes the elements denoted by the same reference numbers inprevious figures.

FIG. 4 comprises a cover 462 that covers the tray 360. The cover 462 ishas a size and shape to mate with the upper perimeter of the tray 360.The cover 462 designed and adapted to secure to the upper perimeter edgeof the tray 460 by having a lip that extends downward and slightly intoward the center axis of the cover 462 creating a flexible, yet sturdyattachment point to secure the cover 462 to the tray 460 therebypreventing spills or food items from escaping the tray 460 duringtransport of the invention.

The tray may also function as a food tray, as shown in embodiment 500 ofFIG. 5. The tray 560 may have dividers 553 that extend upward from thebottom surface 555 of the tray 560 to the top edge of the outer wall 551of the tray 560 in turn creating compartments 554 within the innerdimensions of the tray 560. Not all dividers 553 have to start at thebottom surface. The embodiment 500 is only one variation ofconfiguration of a compartmentalized tray 560 wherein the exemplarycompartments 554 shown would likely be suited for placing a “side order”such as French fries, onion rings, or similar food item. Another of theother compartments 554 would be useful as a place for condiments fordipping the food items, and yet another of the compartments 559 forholding a beverage container. The compartmentalization of the tray 560can be molded and made to suit particular uses or food items and is notlimited only to the design or uses stated above.

FIG. 5 also includes the container 110, O-ring seal 132, seal apparatus130, pusher apparatus 120 and the other elements having the samereference numbers which have been described in connection with theprevious figures.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment 600 of the present invention wherein theinvention comprises a tray 660 with two openings 664 in the bottomsurface 655. The openings 664 are offset from the central axis of thetray 660 and are proportionate in size and circumference for one of theopenings 664 to accommodate the container 610 and the other opening 664is proportionate in size and circumference to accommodate a fluidconveyance device 670 hereafter to be referred to as a “straw” of whichthe primary function of the straw 670 is to allow the user of theinvention to drink a beverage. The embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 6 further comprises a support 668 which may be made out of adisposable paper material or a rigid plastic polymer or other suitablematerial. The support 668 extends downward from the center of the tray660 and intersects and inserts into a base 669. The base 669 is alsomade from a rigid plastic polymer or other suitable material andprovides a suitable foundation to allow the device to be self-supportivewithout the necessity of being held by a person. The base 669 mayfurther comprise a circular indentation on the top surface that isaligned under the location of the straw 670 for the purpose toaccommodate and assist in keeping a beverage container (not shown inthis figure) in place. The beverage container is intended to be placedat the bottom of the straw 670. The container 610 is intended to use apusher apparatus (not shown in this figure) but similar to any of thosedescribed herein.

A variation of the nozzle attachment described earlier is shown here aselement 650 having a food outlet 656.

This embodiment provides food and drink out of the same vessel such thatthe food is pushed up to the food outlet 656 at about the same locationas where the beverage is being provided (the end of straw 670). Thedrinking and eating locations are immediately adjacent so that a personmerely has to turn their head slightly or move it front to back toaccess both the drink and the food. The food and drink are provided to acommon location that is convenient for the user's mouth to reach. Thisprovides a novel way of delivering both food and beverage in closeproximity from each other at a “Dispensing Point” and this allows eatingand drinking with no hands, or one handed operation depending on theembodiment shown.

The addition of the support 668 and base 669 permits the presentinvention to be placed on a flat or table-like surface and allows thecompletely hands-free operation of the invention.

The base 669 may also be securely mounted on vehicles, such as a car oron a motorcycle gas tank. This may assist a motorcycle rider in having aquick snack.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment 700 of the present invention wherein thecontainer 710, pushing apparatus 720, and tray 760, are comprised of asquare or rectangular cross-section as opposed to the previouslydescribed cylindrical or circular forms. The embodiment 700 is in a formthat could be readily utilized in the fast food industry as it wouldallow for the protective container 710, pushing apparatus 720, and tray760 to be made inexpensively and in a material that could be disposed ofafter use. The upper portion of the protective container 710 forms aflexible food grip cuff with four finger loop 718 and thumb loop 719 toallow the hand to grip and control the food.

The portion of container 710 is flexible with either slits 716 oraccordion folds to allow it to bend and hold food as a flexible foodgrip cuff.

Alternatively, this embodiment may be manufactured of a durable materialsuitable for repeated use in order to meet the issue of decreasing theamount of waste created by the fast food industry.

Alternatively, a geometrical or other cross sectional shape may be used.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment 800 of the present invention wherein theinvention is comprised of a container 110 in a centrically locatedposition relative to the tray 360, similar to that of FIG. 3. Theembodiment in FIG. 8 further comprises of a pushing device 820 that hasbeen adapted to accommodate a beverage container 823. The beveragecontainer 823 may have a removable and replaceable cap for the purposeof placing fluid into the beverage container 823 or removing fluid out.The beverage container 823 is further comprised of a cap that has anopening to permit a straw 870 to pass through for the consumption of abeverage. In one embodiment of 800 the straw 870 passes internallythrough the container, the O-ring seal 132, and the drink bottle pushingapparatus adapter 820 and into the beverage container 823.

An alternate variation of 800 also presented in FIG. 8 shows thebeverage container 823 comprised of an opening at the lower side of thebeverage container 823 in close proximity of the bottom wherein theopening creates a port 872 and means for attachment of a straw 870. Thestraw 870 of which in this variation is located externally in relationto the pushing device 820 and container 110. In the alternate variationof 800 the present invention is further comprised of the straw 870passing through an opening 864 in the bottom surface 355 of the tray 360and acts as a holder or guide for the straw 870. The opening 864 ispreferred to be located about equidistant from the outer wall 851 of thetray 360 and the proximate center of the tray 360. The description forthe opening 864 acting as a holder or guide for the straw 870 is notmeant to be limiting and an attachment or guide may also be placed onthe outer wall 851 of the tray 360 depending on preference. It can alsobe appreciated in the embodiment 800 that the beverage container 823 maybe adapted to be by itself to function as the pushing device 820 of theinvention.

A flexible food grip cuff 865 helps the user control the food during useso it can be held firmly and bitten. In this embodiment, it has a slitwith two overlapping ends that slide past each other as the flexiblefood grip cuff 865 is squeezed. The flexible food grip cuff 865 has afour finger loop 818 for inserting four fingers (or individual fingersas well could work), and on the other side has a thumb loop 819. Thisallows the user to put his/her hand through the four finger loop 818,and thumb loop 819 and squeeze the flexible food grip cuff 865 to holdand bite off a piece of a solid food, such as a sandwich, as it extendsout of opening 140. So when the user wraps his/her hand around theflexible food grip cuff 865, his/her hand is protected from getting foodon it. It allows the user to wrap their hand around the food andflexible food grip cuff to direct it and support the food for easy,one-handed consumption.

FIG. 9 shows embodiment 900 of the invention with the flexible food gripcuff 865. (The flexible food grip cuff is also employed in FIGS. 10, 13and 14 that can be used in a similar manner by the user.)

Container 910 has a slit which runs its entire length, such that thefasteners 917 may be released to allow the container 910 to be openedalong its length. The purpose of opening the container 910 along theside of its length is to receive and hold a sandwich, hoagie or othersolid food. Then the container 910 is wrapped around the solid food andthe fasteners 917 are re-secured.

Soft semi-liquid foods like chili or foods like spaghetti, or casseroleitems may be eaten by exchanging the flexible food grip cuff 865 with anozzle attachment 350 of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment 900 of the present invention wherein theinvention is comprised of a container 910 in a centrically locatedposition in comparison to the tray 960 similar to FIG. 3. The embodiment900 in FIG. 9 further comprises of a container 910 that is made of alight weight durable material that is both rigid enough to provideprotection and support of the food. The item is yet flexible enough tobe manipulated in terms of adjusting size in accordance to fit the fooditem by use of a fastener 917 such as hook and loop connector straps.

Another embodiment 900 further comprises a means to assist in securelyholding the container 910 via loops 918 attached to the sides of theupper portion of the container 910. A rigid plastic ring or other rigidmaterial 936 is connected to the bottom inner portion of the container910 guide of the pushing device 120 and acting as a seal around theouter perimeter of the pushing device 120. The rigid ring 936 allows ahand hold to grasp and push the pushing device 120 into the container910. This may also be a rubber wiper ring, functioning like a ring on anengine's piston, or like one would see on a rubber syringe plunger. Itmay employ a flexible gasket recess to accommodate flexible absorbentmaterial such as a paper towel to be wrapped around the Food Pusher Unitat this recess.

An absorbent paper towel that is crumpled and placed below the food, buton top of the food pusher unit 120 forms a drip absorbing layer on thetop of the pushing device 120. Another method of reducing leakage is towrap a paper towel or cloth around the pushing device 120. These methodswork well with moderately juicy foods such as a hoagie.

Embodiment 900 further comprises a tray 960 that is that is made of anylon fabric material or other suitable material that provides a lightweight durable material that is both rigid enough to provide a means tocatch crumbs or other bits of food that may fall from the opening 940 ofthe container 910. The tray 960 of embodiment 900 also comprises a meansto adjust its size by use of a fastener 917 such as hook and loopfastener straps to fit appropriately with the container 910. Theembodiment 900 has a cup base 926 which is sized to fit securely in atypical automotive cup holder.

Now referring to FIG. 10, it shows an embodiment of the presentinvention 1000 which further comprises a tray 1060 having a drink holder1065 that is offset from the approximate center of the tray 1060. Thedrink holder 1065 comprises a cylindrical shape with walls extendingdownward from an opening in the bottom surface 1055 of the tray 1060 andhas a fully enclosed bottom. The drink holder 1065 is made from asimilar material as the tray 1060 and is sturdy enough to support acommercial type beverage container such as a soda can, bottle or similarbeverage container. It includes a straw 1070 that terminates proximateopening 1040.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment 1100 of the present invention that comprisessimilar elements as other previously described embodiments including butnot limited to a container 110, a tray 360, and a straw 1170. Theembodiment 1100 further comprises an adapted pushing apparatus 1120 thatrests on the top surface of a commercially available beverage container1123 such as a can or bottle. The adapted pushing apparatus 1120 furthercomprises a means of fluid conveyance via an elongated straw 1170 thatextends from the beverage container 1123 on one end, travels through theadapted pushing apparatus 1120 in a “S” shaped configuration 1176 andwherein the opposite end extends through an opening 1174 in the bottomsurface 355 of the tray 360 and enabling the user to consume thebeverage from the beverage container 1123 used in lieu of the fulllength pusher apparatus. Adapted pushing apparatus 1120 may use the sameseal as mentioned earlier, seal 132.

FIG. 12 shows a side view diagram of embodiment 1100 of FIG. 11. Theside view diagram 1100 assists in showing the placement of the “S”shaped configuration 1176 aspect of the straw 1170 which extends fromthe beverage container 1123, through the adapted pushing apparatus 1120and up through the bottom surface 355 of the tray 360.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment 1300 of the present invention that comprisesa container 1310, a tray 360 and a pushing apparatus 1320 as in otherpreviously described embodiments. Embodiment 1300 further comprisesloops 918 to assist with gripping the container 1310. A straw holder1378 is attached to the side of the container 1310 proximate to the topedge of the container 1310. The straw 1370 in the embodiment 1300 feedsthrough an opening 1317 in the side of the container 1310 and then runsinternally through the bottom of the container 1310 and continuesthrough an opening in the top of the adapted pusher apparatus 1320 tothe beverage container 1123. The pushing apparatus 1320 is furthercomprised of being adapted to accommodate a previously described adaptedpusher apparatus 1320 that sets on top of a beverage container 1123. Thepushing apparatus 1320 is further comprised of a means to secure thebeverage container 1123 within the pushing apparatus 1320 via use of atethering attachment 1327 attached on one end to the bottom portion ofthe pushing device 1320 and on the other end to the top portion of thedrink cup adapter base 1326. Only one tethering strap is shown for theclarity. Others may be used, as needed.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment 1400 of the present invention that comprisesa container 1310, a tray 360 and a pushing apparatus 1420 as in otherpreviously described embodiments. Embodiment 1400 further comprises abase 1469. The base 1469 is further comprised of a means for attachment1421 permitting the present invention to be placed on a flat ortable-like surface and allows the completely hands-free operation of theinvention. The means of attachment 1421 may be proportionate in diameterto fit on the outer circumference of the pushing apparatus 1420 whilepermitting a beverage container 1123 to fit therein. Also, theautomotive cup base 926 may be used, as seen in FIG. 9.

Though not shown here, the S-straw could be built into pushing apparatus1420, similar to FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment 1500 of the present invention whichcomprises similar elements as previously described in previous figures,such as FIG. 10. The embodiment 1500 in FIG. 15 further comprises apushing apparatus 1520 which includes a pushing rod 1537, a pushingblock 1535, and a pushing cylinder 1596. The pushing rod 1537 startsoutside of pushing block 1535, enters the side of pushing block 1535,and travels through a channel 1539 in the pushing assembly block 1535.It exits out the top of the pushing assembly block 1535 and extendsupward toward, and attaches to the pushing cylinder 1596.

The pushing cylinder 1596 is proportionate in size to fit inside thecontainer 110 and has the capability to slide up and down within thecontainer 110. The pushing rod 1537 is flexible and allows directionalchange in the force applied to the pushing cylinder 1596.

By the user manually pushing the pushing rod 1537 toward and into thepushing assembly block 1535, the user can push up the pushing cylinder1596 and in turn move the food item upward through the container 110 andextend out of opening 140. If the food item is extended out of opening140 too far, the user can pull on the pushing rod 1537 and the mechanismwill reverse and retract the food item back into the container 110.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment 1600 that comprises similar elements in thepreviously described above including but not limited to a container 110,tray 360, and container guide 361. Embodiment 1600 further comprises amechanical pushing apparatus 1690 to push the food item up and out thetop of the container 110. The mechanical pushing apparatus 1690 furthercomprises a two-piece hollow cylinder made from a rigid material inwhich its bottom piece is an elongated version of the drink cup adapterbase 1626 and its top is the actuator plate 1691 is top of the pushingapparatus cylinder 1696. The elongated version of the drink cup adapterbase 1626 houses the electric motor 1693, motor drive gear 1698, screwdrive gear 1694, battery pack 1695, and threaded screw 1691. Themechanical pushing apparatus 1690 is operated by using a momentaryswitch 1697 that allows for the mechanical pushing apparatus 1690 tooperate in both forward and reverse. The mechanical pushing apparatus1690 uses an electric motor 1693 to turn the drive gears 1694, 1698 andthreaded screw 1691 which in the process drives a drive nut 1692attached to the actuator cylinder 1696 up the container 110 to push thefood item up and out the opening of the container 110. As the threadedrod 1691 spins, the drive nut 1692 moves in a vertical direction insidecontainer 110.

This is one specific example of how to implement a motorized means ofmoving the actuator plate 865, however it is understood that belts,pulleys, rods, air or hydraulic cylinders, etc. that are now commonlyknown may be used to actuate advance the food out of the container 110.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment 1700 that comprises similar elements in thepreviously described above including but not limited to a container 110,tray 360, container guide 361, and mechanical pushing apparatus 1690.Embodiment 1700 further comprises an offset beverage container holder1765. The offset beverage holder 1765 is attached to the outer sidesurface of container 110. The offset beverage holder 1765 canaccommodate a beverage container 1123 and by utilizing a straw 1770 theuser can also consume a beverage while using the mechanized variant ofthe present invention. By adding a base stand or mounting bracket thiscan be used by a user without requiring the user to use his/her hands.

The beverage container shown in the previous figures resembles astandard bottle or can. However, it could actually be shaped like a tall“donut” that wraps around container 110, either fully wrapping around orpartially around, and the straw would penetrate it. It would have aremovable fill cap. This donut shaped “canteen” could sit just under thefood tray and the fill cap could be extending above the inner bottomsurface of the food tray.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show of an embodiment 1800 that comprises the previouslydescribed elements including but not limited to three modified versionsof the embodiment of FIG. 15 to result in a configuration for multipleusers. The three devices described in FIG. 15 to work together to servemultiple users simultaneously. The three devices sit on a common holder1869. This embodiment's intended purpose is to feed and provide drink tomultiple people at the same time. One ideal application would be forfeeding children in the back seat of a vehicle. The unit could be bolteddown by a base attaching to the bottom of support rod 1868 to be inclose proximity to the seats where the users (children) are sitting.Embodiment 1800 further comprises a port opening 1835 on the side ofeach container 1810 which is fluidically coupled to a manifold 1834.Liquid food is provided into tray 1860 having a manifold port 1842 thatis also fluidically coupled to the manifold 1834.

The liquid food flows from tray 1860 through the manifold 1842, ports1835 in the sides of containers 1810 to fill container 1810.

Embodiment 1800 further comprises a longer pushing rod 1537 than onother embodiments so that when it moves upward it keeps the port 1835closed throughout the entire travel upward. Also, the pushing cylinder1596 has a second O-ring 1832 at the bottom to prevent food from theport opening 1835 getting down past the bottom of the pushing apparatus1520 between it and the inner wall of the container 1810. The pushingcylinder 1596 is elongated with O-ring seal 132 at top and O-ring seal1832 at the bottom.

FIG. 19 shows embodiment 1800 in a perspective view that comprises thepreviously described elements including but not limited to those of FIG.15 and FIG. 18. A common drink jug 1823 or individual drinks can betapped with straws 1870. Drinking straws may include flow check backflow preventers.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a manifold feed opening 1842 which is connected tothe manifold runners 1834 which link to the ports 1835 of containers1810. Liquid food may be provided to a storage vessel resting on top of,and feeding liquid food into the manifold feed opening 1842.

The containers 1810 may be refilled from the storage vessel by the foodrunning through the manifold runners 1834 attached to the side of thecontainers 110. Ports in the sides of the containers 110 allow the foodenter the containers 110 through a port 1835 in the side of eachcontainer 110. This allows the containers 110 to be refilled. Ports 1835may include flow check.

As indicated above, the embodiments may be made of paper, cardboard,composites or other known disposable material. Alternatively, they mayalso be made from rigid plastic which can be cleaned and reused.

Advantages of the Embodiments

The current invention solves the following shortcomings of the priorart.

It provides ability for “no hands” eating and drinking when the unit ison a table or holder arm (i.e. over a hospital bed).

There is no need to touch the food or hold other utensils like forks,spoons, knives or bowls.

There is no need for separate utensils such as forks, spoons, knives,bowls, and plates to eat a meal.

Pre-packaged food can be put into the “pump” as a sealed cartridge thatis opened when one is ready to eat.

The invention provides both convenience and speed of eating/drinkinghaving both food and drink served from one receptacle.

The invention reduces and almost eliminates possibility for spillage—itgreatly reduces food and beverage coming into contact with clothing andupholstery, and other areas not intended.

It is more sanitary and protects food and beverage from coming incontact with contaminants better than conventional devices.

The invention enables revolution in the fast food packaging. Theinvention may be brought to fast food restaurants, filled, and used,thereby reducing packaging waste. The invention may be re-filled at adrive up window, or it may be taken into the restaurant and filled bythe user, or a fast-food restaurant worker. If the user takes theinvention in a restaurant they can fill it with whatever they like at abuffet.

Other embodiments could have other known methods to move the food to alocation near the user's mouth. A conveyor belt, a positive displacementpump, a squeezed bag, etc. could all be used to move the food in placeof the food pusher/dispenser shown in the figures. Any pumping actionwould still be moving food to a location near the user's mouth that isalso near the drink straw end location. These embodiments of theinvention have primarily focused on the food dispenser unit and the foodpusher unit as being the primary way to move the food.

Purchasing and dispensing beverage in bulk is possible with this design.The unit can be made to hold a large jug of beverage, such as a gallonjug of iced tea or juice. Buying beverage in bulk saves money andreduces individual serving size packaging waste.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing is presented by way ofillustration only, and not by way of any limitation, and that variousalternatives and modifications may be made to the illustratedembodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What I claim is:
 1. A food dispenser for allowing a user to feed oneselfwith ability to advance the food, the food dispenser comprising: a. anelongated food container being filled with a food, and having a firstend and a second end with a first opening located at the first end and asecond opening located at the second end, the first opening being afirst elongated food container opening; b. the elongated food containerhaving side walls and no top on the first end, having a volume that ischangeable based on the current position of the moveable location of theeffective bottom of the elongated food container, hereinafter describedas the pushing apparatus, wherein said pushing apparatus changes thevolume of the elongated food container where the food is stored therebyadvancing the food, further; c. a pushing apparatus shaped to fit withinthe elongated food container and having a sealed fit within theelongated food container; the pushing apparatus entering a secondopening of the elongated food container, traveling within the inside ofthe elongated food container such that the user actuates the pushingapparatus, and thereby causes movement of the pushing apparatus into theelongated food container, thereby causing food located within theelongated food container to be displaced out of the first elongated foodcontainer opening; d. wherein the user controls the pushing apparatusmovement and entry into the elongated food container thereby controllingthe movement of the food out of the first elongated food containeropening upon a forward operation of the pushing apparatus; or thereverse operation whereby a retraction of the pushing apparatus retractsthe food down in a direction back into the first elongated foodcontainer opening; e. wherein the food displaced as the volume ofstorage in the elongated food container decreases as the pushingapparatus is actuated in the forward direction, said food moves directlyout of the first container opening entering no other containers as itmoves to atmosphere to a consuming location of the user.
 2. A fooddispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a pushing apparatus such thatthe unit is manually operated by the user whereby the user suppliesproportional amount of force that provides movement of the pushingapparatus causing it to travel in a forward direction to push food outof the elongated food container first opening or reverse direction andretract within the elongated food container.
 3. A food dispenser ofclaim 1, further comprising: a pushing apparatus operated by the user,whereby a motorized actuator provides the motive force to the pushingapparatus causing it to travel forward or retract within the elongatedfood container as the user controls the actuator switch.
 4. A fooddispenser of claim 3, further wherein: the pushing apparatus furthercomprises a motor and at least one gear to drive the actuator cylinderwhich pushes the food, wherein the motor provides the force to thepushing apparatus causing the actuator cylinder to travel forward orretract within the elongated food container.
 5. A food dispenser ofclaim 1, further wherein: a tray is operatively attached at or somewhatbelow the first elongated food container opening.
 6. A food dispenser ofclaim 1, further wherein: a separate beverage container is included withthe food dispenser such that there is no mixing of the beverage with thefood; the beverage container positioned such that a straw leads from thebeverage container to a point adjacent to the first opening of theelongated food container thereby allowing the user to drink from thestraw and eat from the first elongated food container opening.
 7. A fooddispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a container edge which is madeof a flexible material and is operatively connected to the first foodcontainer opening, thereby allowing the user to grip the container edgeand squeeze the container edge so as to grip the food, thereby allowingmanipulation of the food.
 8. A food dispenser of claim 6, furtherwherein: the beverage container is operatively attached on the pushingapparatus.
 9. A food dispenser of claim 6, further wherein: the beverageholder is located adjacent to the elongated food container and offsetfrom the pushing apparatus.
 10. A food dispenser of claim 1, furtherwherein: a. a flexible food grip cuff located adjacent to the firstelongated food container opening, wherein the flexible food grip cuffreduces a diameter of the elongated food container when squeezed; and b.a holding apparatus, for allowing the user to grip and hold and squeezethe flexible food grip cuff thereby allowing the user to hold andcontrol the food inside of the elongated food container, where the foodis a solid food, thereby allowing the user to bite off a piece of thefood extending out of the first elongated food container opening.
 11. Afood dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle operativelyconnected to the first elongated food container opening.
 12. A fooddispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a removable, pre-packagedcartridge filled with the food wherein the cartridge can be placedwithin the elongated food container.
 13. A food dispenser allowing auser to feed oneself without the use of one or both hands, a fooddispenser comprising: an elongated food container filled with food, andhaving a first end and a second end with a first opening located at thefirst end and a second opening located at the second end, the firstopening being a first elongated food container opening; a poweredpushing apparatus having a sealed fit within the elongated foodcontainer, the pushing apparatus operated by the user in which thepushing apparatus derives its force from energy not provided by theuser, a motive force which when actuated in forward operation causes thepushing apparatus to move food out of the first elongated food containeropening, or when actuated in reverse operation then reverses the forceto retract the pushing apparatus and the food back into the firstelongated food container opening.
 14. A food dispenser of claim 13,further comprising: a tray operatively attached at or below the firstelongated food container opening.
 15. A food dispenser of claim 13,further comprising: an onboard beverage container.
 16. A food dispenserof claim 13, further comprising: a drink cup adapter base sized to fitsecurely in a typical automotive cup holder.
 17. A food dispenser ofclaim 13, further comprising: a. a flexible food grip cuff locatedadjacent to the first elongated food container opening, wherein theflexible food grip cuff reduces a diameter of the elongated foodcontainer when squeezed; and b. a holding apparatus, for allowing theuser to grip and hold and squeeze the flexible food grip cuff therebyallowing the user to hold and control the food inside of the elongatedfood container, where the food is a solid food, thereby allowing theuser to bite off a piece of the food extending out of the firstelongated food container opening.
 18. A food dispenser of claim 13,further comprising: a nozzle operatively connected to the firstelongated food container opening.
 19. A food dispenser of claim 13,further comprising: a removable, pre-packaged cartridge filled with thefood wherein the cartridge can be placed within the elongated foodcontainer.
 20. A food dispenser for providing drink and food to aconsuming location of a user, the food dispenser comprising: a. anelongated food container for holding a desired food, the food containerhaving first and second food container openings from which the food mayexit the food container out of the first elongated food containeropening at the level of a tray or above the level a tray, the tray beingoperatively attached at or below the first elongated container opening,wherein a powered pushing apparatus under the control of the user pushesthe food out of the first elongated food container opening and up abovethe tray elevation, or retracts the food back inside the first foodcontainer opening and below the tray elevation depending on which waythe pushing apparatus is actuated; b. a beverage container operativelyconnected onboard the food dispenser so as to provide drink in closeproximity to the consuming location of the user.
 21. A food dispenser ofclaim 20, further comprising: a drinking conduit extending from thebeverage container to the consuming location of the user adjacent to thefirst elongated food container opening.
 22. A food dispenser of claim20, further comprising: the food dispenser having a drink cup adapterbase sized to fit securely in a typical automotive cup holder.
 23. Afood dispenser of claim 20, further comprising: a. a flexible food gripcuff located adjacent to the first elongated food container opening,wherein the flexible food grip cuff reduces a diameter of the elongatedfood container when squeezed; and b. a holding apparatus, for allowingthe user to grip and hold and squeeze the flexible food grip cuffthereby allowing the user to hold and control the food inside of theelongated food container, where the food is a solid food, therebyallowing the user to bite off a piece of the food extending out of thefirst elongated food container opening.
 24. A food dispenser of claim20, further comprising: a removable, pre-packaged cartridge filled withthe food wherein the cartridge can be placed within the elongated foodcontainer.